My Life - Gareth Shenton, Operations Director at Shenton Group
We chat with Gareth Shenton, Operations Director at Shenton Group
How would you describe yourself?
Privately, I am kind, considerate, full of energy and I’d like to think I am fun to be around although my favourite phrase is, “I’m tired.” Professionally, I’m very detail orientated, direct, pragmatic and solutions-focused.
Where is home? And work?
I spend 90% of my time in our Manchester city centre apartment, but when I can, I go to our house in Lytham St Annes and stare at the sea. We are also in the process of renovating Cuerden Hall, which we will live in once it’s complete. As for work, our offices are based right in the heart of Manchester city centre, near St. Peter’s Square.
Congratulations on recently taking over Manchester Hall. What changes have you implemented since taking over?
The first priority was to steady a very large ship. Manchester Hall is an iconic building with real presence and recognition; people either know it, know of it, or know Dishoom within it. The encouraging part is that, in almost every conversation we have had, people’s experiences have been neutral to positive, which gave us a solid platform to build from. Our ambition now is to turn that into something exceptional. We have elevated the food and beverage offer, appointed a new General Manager with strong commercial expertise, and are driving a revitalised sales strategy through our new Director of Sales.
Tell us about some of the recent events you’ve hosted at the venue.
My favourite recent events we have hosted were the 100 Mancs – Chippy Tea, which was to celebrate the 100 people who have been interviewed on the ‘We Built This City’ podcast. This was an incredible event, hosting some of the most notable Mancunians who have contributed to the very fabric of Manchester. Lisa Morton, the podcast host, asks every guest, “What’s your chippy order?” and we were able to produce every single unique order for each guest. It was a real demonstration of what we are capable of, here at Manchester Hall.
We recently had the pleasure of hosting The Pink Ribbon Foundation’s Catwalk For A Cause event for breast cancer. We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon raising money for a very worthy cause, with some famous Cheshire faces walking in the show. We are going to make this an annual event with all profits going to the charity.
Tell us about anything else you’ve been working on away from Manchester Hall?
We’ve been quite busy at Shenton Group with a couple of office acquisitions in other iconic buildings and lots of recruitment within our head office to ensure that we deliver the very best to our clients and tenants, and the renovation of our house.
What is it you truly love about Manchester?
The vibrancy, the pace of change and how Manchester is truly able to deliver what is expected of a world-class city, whilst retaining its charm and neighbourhood feel.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
An Epidemiologist, since I first saw the movie Outbreak, I was fascinated by epidemics and pandemics; had I continued that path it would’ve proven useful in the last few years.
Where do you like to holiday?
Mustique would be my go-to location for a real, switch-off holiday. Hiking, sunbathing and taking time to read and relax, so that would be my ideal beach break. I would never say no to a European city break. I spend a lot of time in Paris and am a huge fan of Florence.
Name a few of your favourite eateries in Cheshire/North West?
Climat would be top of my list in central Manchester; wine-led, French cuisine with a very relaxed feel set on top of a great building with a great skyline view. Cibo in Hale is always a winner as is Riva, which is almost opposite.
Share a Cheshire hidden gem.
Cheshire has some brilliant hidden gems if you go beyond the obvious. I’d say Great Budworth for its timeless village feel, Anderton Boat Lift for its forgotten engineering grandeur, Little Moreton Hall for its eccentric Tudor charm, and Cholmondeley Castle Gardens for a quieter, more elegant day out. I’d also include Jodrell Bank because it has that rare mix of science, space and Cheshire countryside that feels completely unique.
Tell us something you treasure.
Downtime, life is quite busy so taking some time out is very important. Christmas is normally the only time that I truly get a break; usually, I’m just working from another location.
What or who inspires you?
I have a slightly saccharine answer to this and would say my husband, Colin Shenton. Colin inspires me because he combines vision with real resilience. He sees opportunities where others see problems, stays calm under pressure, and leads with a level of determination that makes people around him want to raise their game. He is ambitious, decisive and always moving things forward, which I find hugely motivating.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
A hamper of chocolate for Colin. It was Easter after all.
Tell us a secret/fun fact?
I was twice national jujitsu champion when I was younger.
What’s the one song you have on heavy rotation?
That’s a tough one as I have quite an eclectic music taste from pop to rock and classical but I’d say something cheesy like Celine Dion’s ‘I Drove All Night’, but the dance remix.
What podcasts have you been listening to lately?
‘We Built This City’ hosted by Lisa Morton who is a dear friend and ‘This Podcast May Kill You’, which is about different diseases and conditions and really scratches my scientific itch.
Your mastermind subject?
The 90’s TV show, Red Dwarf.
What’s been your biggest life lesson?
Don’t confuse your feelings with the facts and that literally everything happens for a reason. It is rarely about the problem; it is how you resolve it that shows your character.
Instagram: @manchesterhall
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